Cohort study, 2015
Do leptin levels explain why women with PMDD eat more before their period?
In normal-weight women with PMDD, lower leptin levels before the period are linked with eating more and wanting sweets. In overweight women with PMDD, leptin doesn't drop, but they still eat more sweets, possibly increasing their risk of leptin resistance.
What they did
62 women with PMDD and 69 controls were evaluated during both the late luteal and follicular phases of their menstrual cycle. Researchers measured leptin hormone levels, calorie intake, and eating behaviors including uncontrolled eating and emotional eating. Results were analyzed separately for normal-weight and overweight women.
What they found
Women with PMDD had greater increases in total calorie intake, sweet calorie intake, and uncontrolled eating in the late luteal phase compared to controls. In normal-weight women with PMDD, leptin levels were lower in the late luteal phase and negatively correlated with sweet calorie intake and uncontrolled eating. In overweight women with PMDD, leptin levels stayed high and did not decrease in the late luteal phase, yet they still showed higher sweet calorie intake and uncontrolled eating than overweight controls.
What it means for you
In normal-weight women with PMDD, a drop in leptin may explain the increased eating and sweet cravings before the period. In overweight women with PMDD, the overeating pattern doesn't follow the same leptin changes, suggesting different biological causes. Overweight women with PMDD may face higher risk of leptin resistance and may need different treatment approaches.
62
women with PMDD
69
control women
2
menstrual phases assessed
About the study
- Original title
- The late-luteal leptin level, caloric intake and eating behaviors among women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Ko CH, Yen CF, Long CY et al.
- Journal
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 62
- What was tested
- None (observational study)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.03.002
Topics
Related studies
Study, 2026
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Case-control study, 2020
Do appetite hormones and eating behaviors change differently across the luteal phase in women with PMDD?
Case-control study, 2018
Do women with PMDD crave different foods than healthy women?
Case-control study, 2010
Do women with PMDD crave high-sugar and high-fat foods more than other women?
Non-randomised trial, 2008
Do mood, memory, and food cravings worsen during the luteal phase in women with PMDD?
Randomised trial, 2002
Does the birth control pill Yasmin help women with PMDD?